SEVERAL key Boro players face a race against time to win their fitness battles for the Boxing Day clash with Blackburn.

Ishmael Miller, Andre Bikey and Nicky Bailey didn’t travel to Leeds on Saturday due to the sickness bug that’s hit Rockliffe Park while Faris Haroun failed to overcome a hamstring strain in time to be considered for selection. Jason Steele and Marvin Emnes were also under the weather at the weekend, but pulled on their boots at Elland Road.

Because of the potential absentees for Wednesday’s game, Tony Mowbray may reluctantly bring Rhys Williams back ahead of schedule.

He said: “I think it’s a bit early for Rhys and yet we might have to rush him back because of a lack of numbers.

“Steele was vomiting before the Leeds game but played, Emnes had a bad stomach. I wasn’t going to mention it because I don’t want to sound like I’m making excuses, but it was an issue.

“We had to leave Bailey, Bikey and Miller back at home because they all had a bug.

“But we won’t be the only team to suffer this kind of setback.

“We managed to find a performance at Leeds despite our problems and if we still have players missing on Boxing Day, we’ll still find a performance.”

Blackburn have no such problems ahead of their trip to Teesside. Their home game against Brighton was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch but Mowbray doesn’t believe that will be a factor when they play Boro.

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“Their game being off is of no concern,” he said. “Wednesday’s match will stand on its own merits.

“We will pick a team to try and win the match and give it our best shot.”

Mowbray certainly won’t be underestimating Henning Berg’s struggling Blackburn side. Rovers led the table when Boro went to Ewood Park and won in August but now they’re down to 17th.

“They started the season brightly and Jordan Rhodes started scoring goals right from the off following his huge move,” said the Boro boss.

“They are Premier League quality but ultimately the Steve Kean issue caught up with them.

“On the back of that a new manager has come in and while he knows English football he’s not managed in England before.

“He’ll have been finding out about his new team, his new squad, his new staff, I know he’s changed his staff around recently.

“I’ve got no fear, but as I’ve said before, I see Blackburn, Wolves and Bolton coming on strong because of the players they’ve got.

“They’ve all got new managers from last season and they’ve needed time to adapt, but the quality of player will come through.

“Whether it comes through in enough time to impact on this season, I don’t know.

“But they will be there or thereabouts, if not this season then definitely next season because they’ve got good players.”

Meanwhile, the prospects of Stewart Downing leaving Liverpool next month have lessened after his outstanding display in Saturday’s 4-0 home win against Fulham.

The winger has admitted that manager Brendan Rodgers telling him he could leave provided a “kick up the backside”.

“I wanted to stay, I didn’t want to leave but it was out of my hands,” said the 28-year-old. “I was out of the team and frustrated and I said if something big came up I’d look at it. We had that conversation and, to be honest, I thought I was on my way in January. I was a little bit surprised when he said I could go.

“If it was a gee-up for me then maybe it’s worked because the performances are coming now.”

“It’s been good for the last couple of months and I am pleased it has come together because I’ve worked hard to get to a club like this and I don’t want to leave in a hurry.”